Mated To My Mate's Worst Enemy (ARIA) novel Chapter 149

Chapter 149

ARIA

Sera stood at the center, flanked by several elders I recognized from my time here. She was dressed impeccably-a deep burgundy dress that complemented her dark hair, jewelry that caught the late afternoon light. She looked powerful. Confident. Like someone who held all the cards and knew it.

And the smirk on her face-that knowing, satisfied expression-made my stomach drop. She definitely knew something. Something she was looking forward to revealing. Something that would hurt me and probably damage my relationship with Kael in the process.

Our convoy pulled to a stop before the gates. Kael squeezed my hand once more before releasing it, his expression shifting to the neutral diplomatic mask I’d seen him wear during official pack business.

“Remember,” he said quietly, just for me. “You’re safe. I’m here. Nothing she says or does can change that.”

I wanted to believe him. Wanted to take comfort in his certainty. But I knew better. Knew that what Sera was about to reveal could absolutely change everything.

We exited the vehicle. The security detail arranged themselves in proper formation-protective but not overtly threatening. Nina positioned herself slightly ahead and to the left, her body language screaming that she was ready to intervene at the first sign of trouble.

“Alpha Kael,” Sera called out, her voice warm and welcoming in a way that immediately set me on edge. “Welcome to Blackwood Pack. We’re honored to receive you and your delegation.”

She moved forward gracefully, and I noticed how her eyes lingered on Kael. How her smile became slightly more genuine when looking at him compared to the polite neutrality she’d shown the rest of us.

“Luna Sera,” Kael replied with professional courtesy. “Thank you for agreeing to meet with us. I understand you have information relevant to an ongoing investigation.”

“I do,” Sera confirmed. Then her eyes shifted to me, and that knowing smirk returned. “Luna Aria. How wonderful to see you again. You’re looking well, all things considered.”

“Luna Sera,” I managed, my voice admirably steady given the panic coursing through me.

“I heard about your ordeal,” Sera continued, her tone dripping with false sympathy. “That terrible accusation. The near execution. How absolutely traumatic that must have been for you. Especially coming so soon after bonding with Alpha Kael.”

“It was handled appropriately,” Kael said, his voice taking on a slight edge. “The real attacker was identified and caught. Justice was served.”

“Oh, I’m sure it was,” Sera said, and her smile widened. “Though I have to say, the whole situation was quite fascinating from an outside perspective. The spy you caught, the letters he wrote-all very convenient, wouldn’t you say?”

“Convenient?” Kael’s tone became dangerously quiet.

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“For clearing Luna Aria’s name, I mean,” Sera clarified quickly, though her eyes were gleaming with malicious amusement. “Finding definitive proof right when you needed it most. Almost too perfect, really.”

“Are you suggesting something, Luna Sera?” Nina asked, her voice professional but cold.

“Not at all,” Sera said innocently. “Just making an observation. But we can discuss all that later. For now, please-you’ve had a long journey. Let me show you to your accommodations. You can rest and refresh yourselves before we have our more formal discussions tomorrow.”

She gestured toward the compound entrance. “You’re our guests. The guest quarters have been prepared for your delegation. I trust you’ll find them comfortable.”

As we followed her through the gates, I couldn’t help but notice how her eyes kept darting to me. That knowing look. That satisfied smirk. Like she was savoring some private joke that only she understood.

We were being led into a trap. I could feel it with every step. But what could I do? We’d come here for this meeting. Backing out now would look suspicious and weak.

The guest quarters were indeed comfortable-a separate building within the compound, spacious and well- appointed. Sera showed us each room personally, explaining the amenities with a hospitality that felt genuine but was probably calculated.

“Alpha Kael, you and Luna Aria will have the main suite,” she said, opening the door to reveal a large bedroom with attached bathroom and sitting area. “I hope you’ll find everything you need. If not, please don’t hesitate to ask the staff.”

“Thank you,” Kael said neutrally.

Sera turned to me again, and I braced myself for whatever cutting remark was coming.

“Luna Aria,” she said, her voice taking on that false sweetness again. “I really am glad to see you doing well. Especially after that near execution. Such a terrible ordeal. I can’t imagine what it must have been like- standing on those gallows, thinking you were about to die, all because of accusations that turned out to be false.”

“The truth was revealed,” I said carefully. “That’s what matters.”

“Indeed,” Sera agreed. “Though I have to wonder-how did the accusations start in the first place? What made everyone so ready to believe you’d attacked Healer Ivory? There must have been something. Some reason the pack was willing to condemn you so quickly.”

“There was evidence,” Kael interjected, his voice tight. “Evidence that appeared damning at the time but was later revealed to be manufactured by the actual attacker.”

“Ah yes,” Sera said, turning her attention fully to Kael now. Her body language shifted subtly-less aggressive toward me, more flirtatious toward him. “The attacker you caught. The spy who conveniently wrote letters implicating himself. Tell me, Alpha Kael-” She stepped slightly closer to him, batting her eyes in a gesture that would have been comical if it wasn’t so calculated. “-do you really believe that explanation? That everything was manufactured? That there wasn’t any truth underlying the accusations?”

“I believe the investigation was thorough,” Kael said, his tone becoming colder as he registered her flirtation and clearly found it distasteful. “And I believe the evidence spoke for itself.”

“Evidence can be manipulated,” Sera said softly. “Surely you learned that lesson when you had to approve

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Chapter 149

Finished

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